J. W. Calder
J. W. Calder (1918-20, DipAgr, BAgr, MSc), the Bledsloe Medallist, 1955. Mr Calder was educated at Timaru Boys’ High School before coming to Canterbury Agricultural College. He was appointed to CAC staff as a general lecturer and assistant plant breeder 1923. Thirty-five years of service on the staff. Assistant Director of CAC 1936 to 1958. He was appointed Professor of Agricultural Botany 1955. President New Zealand Grassland Association 1955. Counsellor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Colombo Plan.
John William Calder, known according to individual preference as Jack or "Torchy", came to Lincoln 40 years ago and in 1918 he was one of the first group of Education Department bursars.
L. J. Wild, who was on the staff then, is credited with setting this young man's sights at the right elevation. His course first at Lincoln led to the B.Agr. degree and the College Diploma in Agriculture; later at Canterbury College (while completing the then "back to front" agricultural degree ) he concurrently took science and graduated M.Sc. with a thesis that became the first of his works in ecological botany.
Appointed to the staff at Lincoln in 1923 he thereafter had a remarkable sequence of appointments, for in those years a total staff of half a dozen had to adapt their outlook to suit changing needs. He was first a housemaster in times when housemasters were fashionable and influential, and also assistant biologist. For short periods he was a teacher of engineering, surveying, book keeping, economics. When Dr Hilgendorf's plant breeding work commenced "J.W.C." became his assistant and he personally is credited with a part in the work that soon led to improved cocksfoot and wheat. By 1936 he was in charge of field husbandry and also the Assistant Director of the College. In 1949 he was made an Associate Professor of the College and in 1955 he was honoured with the University appointment of Professor of Agricultural Botany. He had been Assistant Director for 22 years and on three occasions was called upon to take charge during periods of absence or change-over of the principal.
Torchy was the all-round practitioner of practical and technical agriculture, of the kind that Lincoln needed prior to the modern times of specialisation. As a teacher of students, extension or liaison man with farmers, as a scientist, he commanded entire respect. His original contribution to knowledge was concerned at the outset with vegetation studies of the mountain region including Danthonia grasses but in recent years his published work was more applied to husbandry, including studies on pastures, wheat and subterranean clover.
Some might agree that his greatest contribution was by the transfer process of research, directed to influence younger men who asked him to guide their Masterate courses. In this way Jack Calder over the years set about a score of young men, academically provided with an M.Agr.Sc., on their way and an appraisal of the list suggests that he endowed them well. However, he served all students well and was of the opinion that Diploma classes deserved no less effort on his part as lecturer.
He was integral in College and local community life. Through out, he and Mrs Calder lived at Lincoln and brought up their family there. At one time or other he had a part in every phase of institutional life and was especially dominant in rugby and athletics, for as a student he had been a double University Blue in these as well as a provincial rugby player.
He was President of the Old Students' Association in 1940-41. In 1955 he was awarded the Bledisloe Medal. He decided to retire when entitled to, although when he stepped down on March 31, 1958 he seemed as fresh in mien and as youthful in spirit as ever before. He was accorded a public farewell in the Refectory and presentations were made on behalf of the Board of Governors, the staff and the students. Thus there went from Lincoln a man to be remembered for his integrity, his understanding and kindness toward fellow men. No one can remember him losing his temper or being disagreeable in his attitude to others. He was therefore unique and with his departure the team became- at least f or a space, leaderless and the institution bereft.
"Torchy" and Mrs Calder travelled by air to England in May, stopping over in Australia, Greece and Italy and he hopes to remain in Britain f or a few years. He has an appointment as agricultural consultant to a large seed organisation and is now happily occupied among English farmers. At the farewell to him which was part of the Reunion in May, he reminded us that he will always be an Old Student and therefore a part of the College. The strength of Lincoln, that is a rather indefinable property, has been forged over 80 years by a small number of men and in half of that time J. W. Calder was an influence, character and personality second to none in the College story. Source: 1958 Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine, p104-106.